Westport Pilates East is proud of our certified, experienced Pilates instructors. Take a moment to meet them…
Cait Lyddy
Owner
Cait was first introduced to Pilates in 1991 as a classically trained dancer in NYC. The transformation in her body and in the way she danced was profound.
After 10 years of practicing Pilates and 15 yrs of dancing professionally, Cait received her Comprehensive training at the Kane School of Core Integration. Kelly Kane’s program provided her with a wealth of anatomical knowledge and deep understanding of biomechanics. With a few years of teaching behind her, Cait began to see the deeper results of classical Pilates and retrained in the style of Romana’s Pilates.
She continues to deepen her own practice of classical Pilates under the tutelage of Marcelo Tapia. Daily workouts and constant delving deeper into Romana’s Pilates and Joseph Pilates’ original work keep her inspired and growing.
Cait has studied with Kathy Grant, Bob Liekens, Mejo Wiggins, and Simona Cipriani among others.
Cait brings energy, passion and a keen eye to each and every session and thrives on working with all populations.
Marcelo Tapia
Master Instructor
Marcelo Tapia began his career as a professional dancer with some of the most prestigious companies in South America, Europe and Asia. He began studying Pilates in 1994 and was certified to teach through Romana’s Pilates, studying extensively with the famous Romana Kryzanowska and her daughter Sari.
After years of teaching throughout Europe, South America and the United States, Marcelo spent 3 years accompanying the Cirque du Soleil performers as their Pilates instructor during their tours. He then landed back I the tri- state area where he is known as a teacher of teachers.
He has taught all body types and Pilates instructors over the years and is dedicated to keeping the work pure and authentic. With a degree in Physical Education, Marcelo has a deep understanding of anatomy and physiology which he uses along with his superior Pilates training to guide his clients to a much stronger and healthier body with a solid foundation.
By daily reviewing and executing the work of Joseph Pilates as taught to Romana, as taught to him, Marcelo is an embodiment of the Pilates Method. He inspires his clients as well as instructors to keep their workouts challenging and to never stop learning. His passion and dedication to Pilates is unparalleled!
Dana Nelson
Instructor
A graduate of the University of Michigan, Dana lived and worked in New York City as a producer in film and print advertising and then as a photography editor and director for several Condé Nast magazines. In1996, she discovered the benefits and joys of Pilates and was hooked for life. Upon moving to Connecticut in 2007, Dana entered the USPA Teacher Training Program at the Art of Control at SUNY Purchase College and became a certified teacher in the Authentic Pilates Method. Since her graduation from the program, Dana has been teaching in Westchester and Fairfield County studios. She regularly takes advantage of continuing education workshops to enhance her skills, and has studied with renowned Pilates teachers such as the late Bob Liekens, Brooke Siler, Mejo Wiggins, Blossom Leilani Crawford, Brett Howard, Jerome Weinberg and many others. Dana enjoys sharing the Pilates Method with her clients and helping them meet their individual needs and fitness goals.
Tracy Bloom
Instructor
Tracy Bloom was introduced to Pilates by second-generation teacher MaryAnne Genuario in 2003, a student of Pilates elder Mary Bowen. After many years teaching Pilates matwork, Tracy Bloom was certified in 2010 by the United States Pilates Association a licensee of the New York Pilates Studio Teacher Certification Program, the first and oldest Pilates professional training program in the world.
She trains regularly with Master Teachers Simona Cipriani and Shari Berkowitz, both second-generation teachers certified by Joseph Pilates’ protege Romana Kryzanowska. Tracy has attended education workshops with Peter Fiasca, Brett Howard, Tracy Fiore, Kathi Ross-Nash, and Dorothee VandeWalle, and has studied privately with Marcelo Tapia, Mejo Wiggins, Danielle Armstrong, and many other wonderful instructors.
Tracy Bloom attended Columbia University and Sarah Lawrence College, and has a BS degree.
Kelly McCusker
Instructor
Kelly graduated from Ithaca College with a BS in Marketing and has been working in that field as a graphic designer for over 15 years. She began practicing Pilates in 2003, and immediately found a powerful mind-body connection that resonated with her.
After taking private lessons and mat classes for over a year, she began her teacher training with Peak Pilates, a classical program which stresses the original vision and method designed by Joseph Pilates. Kelly completed her comprehensive certification in October 2006 and has continued her study of Pilates with Kathy Corey, Kathy Grant, Lolita San Miguel, and Irene Dowd, master teacher of anatomy, kinesiology and movement in New York City.
She is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance.
Karen Kaminsky
Instructor
Karen Kaminsky first began practicing Pilates in 2012 by taking weekly mat classes. She was instantly drawn to both the physical challenge and the intense mental concentration of the Pilates method.
After taking time off from her work in interior design to raise her daughter, Karen was looking for a new challenge and was tremendously excited at the opportunity to deepen her knowledge of Pilates by enrolling in Westport Pilates Teacher Training Program with her instructors Marcelo Tapia and Cait Lyddy.
